BeoLab 3 versus BeoLab12 as rear speakers.

I am in the mood to buy a new B and O toy. I am considering replacing my 9s with 5s and moving 9s to the rear. I am also considering a second pair of 9s and having 9s both front and back.

Finally I am considering replacing my rear 4000s with either 3s or 11s.

Any opinions on 3s verses 11s as rears?

 

Edit: I meant 3s verses 12s

The BL11 is a subwoofer... so you can't replace your 4000s with an BL11... you'll need to add some speakers :-)

Do you mean BL3 vs. BL12-2? 

Yes, sorry. 12 verses 3

Can moderators change title to Beolab 3 verses 12?

One physical consideration may be that with BeoLab 3 you can physically turn the speakers into the room - something that depending on your room may or may not be very useful? BeoLab 12's are mounted flat to the wall therefore (acoustic lens aside) they can only project sound out at 90 degrees to the wall. Not as dramatic as i may have made that sound, but maybe a consideration for you. I am personally a massive fan of BeoLab 3, but the 12's look amazing and technically process a lot more audio detail.

Hey there!  I have Lab 5's that I upgraded from BeoLab 3's with a BeoLab 2 (at one point dual BeoLab 2's actually) a little over a year ago and after I took delivery on my BeoLab 5's I actually stopped using rears for a while but recently I decided to take the plunge on a pair of BeoLab 12-3's (the white ones are just TOO sharp for me to not want them!!!).  I'm considering maybe using them in my living room set up to replace a pair of BeoLab 4000 but I've also debated whether or not I should use them in my bedroom with the Lab 5's.  I think the BeoLab 3's are a far superior loudspeaker so the decision to use the 12's as a rear would be purely aesthetic.  Regardless I think before I make my final decision I'll at least temporarily set them up in the Lab 5 setup.  Once I reach that point I'll be happy to share my opinions on which one is better as a rear!

Thanks for the input. My thinking tends to be like yours. Sonically the 3s are probably better, but the12s might be better visually. Right now I am leaning towards the 3s, or possibly getting 5s and moving my 9s to the rear.

If you have the space and don't have the same financial constraints that I have I would definitely grab a set of BeoLab 5's and move the 9's to the rear.  They're honestly the best investment I've ever made and having lived with them for a year now I couldn't see ever not living with them.  My first Bang & Olufsen purchase was a BeoVision 5, BeoCenter 2 and BeoLab 3's.  At the time I had thought about only buying BeoLab 5's and an audio system but I figured the complete system was the way to go.  7 years later I barely remember owning a BeoVision 5 and my BeoCenter 2 is merely a decorative trophy mounted to my wall.  The second I plugged my BeoLab 5's in and cranked them for the first time all 7 years of buyers remorse almost brought a tear to my eye.

 

BeoLab 12's do make an incredible visual statement ... but if your choice is between them (or BeoLab 3's of course) and BeoLab 5's you might find yourself regretting not taking the big dip.

Unless I missed it... none of these speakers feature any digital input like bl5s, correct?

I had hoped the lab12 would have...

Thanks for all of the input. Right now I am thinking I will forget about 3s and 12s and either get a second pair of 9s, or a pair of 5s.

 

 

Why not push the boat out and get 5's all round?

Maab:

Unless I missed it... none of these speakers feature any digital input like bl5s, correct?

 

I had hoped the lab12 would have...

 

As far as I know the BL5 are the only one's with a digital input.

But on the other hand the digital input is a bit of a misunderstanding, since almost none of the B&O equipment feature a digital output.

Only the beosound 5 have a digital output, as from what I've heard it isn't a good one.

The old BS9000 and Beocenter 2 used to have a digital output but both are discontinued.

Beosystem 3 doesn't have one, I never understood why that was left out?

Tompasten:

As far as I know the BL5 are the only one's with a digital input.

But on the other hand the digital input is a bit of a misunderstanding, since almost none of the B&O equipment feature a digital output.

Only the beosound 5 have a digital output, as from what I've heard it isn't a good one.

The old BS9000 and Beocenter 2 used to have a digital output but both are discontinued.

Beosystem 3 doesn't have one, I never understood why that was left out?

Yes, I spent lots of time to figure that out. I ended up with non B&o system.

By the way... Mac mini is the source i use for streaming via digital and I have installed Dirac Live room correction in it with great result. Beside the volume jump between analog and digital I don't miss much the "B&o intergalactic system" to drive the beolab. Although, I would have like a more elegant alternative.